Everyone has heard his songs, but few in Sweden know who he is. Ilya Salmanzadeh made a big impact when he produced Ariana Grande's "Problem" together with Max Martin in 2014. A song he also co-wrote.
Since then, he has worked with artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Ed Sheerhan.
"Surrealistic"
The prize was awarded at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm by Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (The Moderate Party).
It's completely fantastic. I've been working on it for a while now, but it still feels a bit surrealistic. It's fun to receive a prize from the government. It's very big for me, says Ilya Salmanzadeh.
During the award ceremony, Salmanzadeh talked about the importance of patience for songwriters. He himself had to wait for his breakthrough.
I was signed when I was 19, my first success came nine years after that, with Ariana's song "Problem". It was one of the biggest moments in my life, when you finally get your first success.
His role model Max Martin has also received the government's music export prize and thanked the municipal music school for his successes. Ilya Salmanzadeh knows who he wants to thank.
Max Martin! No, but I thank all the music I grew up with, both from the Persian side, but also all the music I grew up with here in Sweden.
Honorary prize to Skifs
Ilya Salmanzadeh was born in Iran and moved to Denmark at the age of three. At 11, he moved to Stockholm and Kallhäll, where he grew up.
The Swedish music export prize has been awarded since 1997 and highlights artists who have contributed to Sweden's successes abroad. In addition to Ilya Salmanzadeh, Bladee, Elvira Anderfjärd, Mikael Karlsson and Opeth were also nominated for the prize.
In addition to Salmanzadeh, the government is awarding an honorary prize to Björn Skifs, and is giving an honorary mention to Gehrmans music publishing company.
Some of the hit songs that Ilya Salmanzadeh has co-written or produced:
Ariana Grande: "Problem).
Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar: "Bad blood (remix)".
Ellie Goulding: "Love me like you do".
Beyoncé: "Spirit".
Ed Sheeran: "Azizam".
Sam Smith: "Unholy".
Tate McRae: "It's ok, I'm ok".
